How To Choose the Right Top for Your Body Type

Have you ever tried on a top that looked amazing on the mannequin but just didn’t seem to work for you? It’s a familiar story, and the reason often comes down to your natural shape. When you know what to wear, it becomes easier to show off your best features anytime you shop for clothes. Use our guide to learn how to choose the right top for your body type!

Identify Your Body Shape

Before you begin your style journey, it’s helpful to know your measurements. Having these numbers on hand provides a foundation for finding tops that fit beautifully and flatter your figure. You can easily measure yourself at home with a flexible tape measure:

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest.
• Waist: Find the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above your belly button, and loosely wrap the tape around it.
• Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom.

For extra precision, you might also measure your shoulder width (tip-to-tip) and your torso length (shoulder-to-hip).

Once you have your measurements, you can identify your body shape. Most women fall into one of five main categories: pear, apple, hourglass, rectangle, or inverted triangle. Each shape has its own characteristics, and knowing yours makes it easier to select tops that create a balanced and flattering silhouette. Let’s break them down.

Pear-Shaped

If you have a pear body shape, your hips are noticeably wider than your bust, and you likely have a well-defined waist. Your shoulders may also be fairly narrower, and you tend to carry more weight on your lower body.

When you have a pear-shaped body, you’ll want to balance your top proportions with your lower half by wearing tops that grab attention. Look for shirts with bright colors, bold patterns, or interesting details around the shoulders and neckline. Likewise, statement sleeves, such as puff or flutter sleeves, are your best friend because they add volume exactly where you need it.

Apple-Shaped

An apple-shaped body typically features a fuller midsection with slimmer legs and arms. Your bust may be average to large, and your waist might not be very defined. For this shape, you’ll want to create the illusion of a longer torso and a more defined waistline.

V-neck tops are an excellent choice because they draw the eye vertically, elongating your upper body. Empire waist tops, which cinch right under the bust, are also incredibly flattering; they skim over the midsection while highlighting the slimmest part of your torso. Look for flowy fabrics like chiffon or soft knits that drape rather than cling.

Hourglass-Shaped

The hourglass figure features a bust and hips that are roughly the same width, with a clearly defined, narrower waist. Because this body type is naturally balanced, aim to follow your curves while highlighting your waist as the focal point.

Fitted tops that hug your torso beautifully accentuate your shape, while wrap tops cinch at the waist to emphasize your natural silhouette. Peplum-style shirts also work well, as the flare at the hips further highlights your defined waist. Additionally, you should avoid oversized or shapeless tops, as they can hide your figure and make you appear “boxy.”

Rectangle-Shaped

If your bust, waist, and hip measurements are all within a few inches of each other, you likely have a rectangle shape. This body type is often described as “straight” or “athletic” due to its minimal curves. The key here is to create the illusion of curves and add definition to your waist.

Tops with ruffles, layers, and embellishments can add volume to your bust and hips. Peplum tops work wonders for creating a waistline, as does adding a belt over a tunic or a simple blouse. Scoop necklines and sweetheart necklines can also add softness and the appearance of a fuller bust. Don’t be afraid to play with different textures to build dimension.

Inverted Triangle-Shaped

The inverted triangle body shape features broad shoulders and a wider bust, with narrower hips and a less-defined waist, making your upper body wider than your lower body. To create balance, you should choose tops that minimize your shoulders and add volume to your lower half.

Simple, clean necklines like V-necks or scoop necks help break up the width of your shoulders. Stick to darker colors on top and choose shirts with minimal shoulder details to downplay your upper body, while A-line tunics that flare at the hips add volume below, creating overall balance.

Consider Necklines

The neckline of a top can dramatically alter your look.

• V-necks are universally flattering because they elongate the neck and torso, making them a great choice for apple- and inverted-triangle-shaped figures.
• Scoop necks are wonderful for rectangle shapes because they create the illusion of curves.
• High necklines can add volume to the bust, which works well for pear shapes who want to balance their proportions.

Focus on Fit

When choosing the right top for your body type, you should also evaluate the shirt's fit. If the shirt is too tight, it may feel uncomfortable and look unflattering, while one that is too loose can hide your shape entirely. Tailored fabrics with a bit of stretch often provide the best fit because they move with you.

Fashion Tip

When you try on a shirt, pay attention to how it sits on your shoulders and chest—it shouldn’t pull or gape.

Choose Lengths Strategically

The length of your top can change your body’s proportions. For example, cropped tops look fantastic on hourglass and pear shapes because they hit at the natural waist. On the other hand, tunic-length tops are ideal for apple shapes as they provide coverage over the midsection.

Sleeve Styles and Proportions

Sleeves are a powerful tool for balancing your body, and some popular styles include:

• Cap sleeve: These short sleeves just cover the shoulder and are great for pear shapes, as they draw attention upward to balance wider hips.
• Puff sleeve: Puff sleeves feature gathered fabric at the shoulder. They’re Ideal for pear or rectangle shapes, adding volume to the upper body for a balanced look.
• Bell sleeve: Bell sleeves flare out from the elbow or wrist. This style works well for apple shapes, softening the arms and adding elegance without bulk at the shoulders.
• Long sleeve: Long sleeves extend to the wrist and are perfect for inverted triangle shapes since the style slims the arms and creates a streamlined upper body.

Find Tops for Your Body Type

Once you know your measurements and understand your shape, you can start selecting pieces that highlight your best features. Arrow 22 sells cute tops for women in a range of styles, so you can feel beautiful no matter what body type you have. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles until you find what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Your personal style is a reflection of you, so have fun with it.